Mary Knowland is a painter. She will be exhibiting her work with the Arts-Inc Gallery at the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

At what age did you know you wanted to become an artist?

I was fourteen
when I knew I wanted to be something to do with art. I ended up spending a year
with Robin Welch in his ceramics studio, then a foundation course followed by
two years at Harrow School of Art, as it was then, on their Studio Pottery
course. I worked for quite a few years as a potter before taking a textiles
course with the Open College of the Arts which took me back to my fine art
roots, my father having been a painter. I have been painting and drawing ever
since and teaching too.

Is being a an artist your only job?

I
also spend a small amount of time giving massage, Indian head massage and
Reiki. Having done a little anatomy and physiology, I found that very
informative with portraying the figure.

If you could be anything else what would you be?

Don’t
think I’ve ever thought of being anything other than someone creative with
materials or people.

One favourite living artist?

At the moment, Ffiona Lewis. Love her freedom of paint combined
with sense of structure and composition. She seems to feel what she paints.

One favourite historical artist?

Piero della Francesca. I love his
beginnings of perspective, his composition and humanity in the work. Although
his faces are stylised, maybe that’s a reference to our similarities as people
over the centuries. Never been so stunned by a painting as standing in front of
his ‘Ressurection’. Very Powerful.

Who / what has had most influence on your work?

Probably
Picasso’s cubist phase has had the most influence on my work. The themes of
space, position, what we know versus what we see and where we are in the world
are recurring themes for me.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?

The
combination of things I do now are the most interesting to date!

What is your most prized item of art / design / craft?

I
have an unsigned but authenticated Picasso cubist litho print of a bottle of
brandy on a Parisian café table. I love it’s simplicity, and the complexities
of viewpoint.

What item of design / craft do you covet most?

A
large piece of Robin Welch ceramics.

Last book / film that blew your mind?

The
last book that blew my mind was ‘The Help’ and the last film ‘Life of Pi’.

What are you listening to?

Currently
been listening to my son, DJ Sloth’s, album ‘A Few Household Chemicals’.

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?

I
only use the internet for things I need to do or find out. Have no interest in
wasting time that I could be using to make work.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Have
no particular desire to live anywhere else, am very lucky. Wouldn’t mind a
warmer climate though!

Where and what is your studio?

My
studio is in Oxfordshire and was a chicken shed on a working farm. We live and
work in these ex farm buildings.

Friday, 29 March 2013

"Pip Dickens is a painter concerned with visual perception, in particular, examining
and challenging theories and methodologies of light and movement within the second
dimension.

Concepts of illusion and double meaning are recurring themes - The notion
that we may receive two contrasting visual (or intellectual) responses to a single
stimulant. She is interested in playing with ideas of extremes and visual confusion
- a kind of "terrible beauty".

Her painting methodology is determined by the subject
matter and often juxtaposes conventional painting techniques with innovative methods
to create unusual surfaces, layers and textures. Depth and surface contrasts are
particularly important in her work.

Her work draws upon many sources from natural
phenomena to the darker elements of phantasmagoria, from opacity to transparency,
from rhythms within music to pattern structures in nature, from cinematic devices
to literary sources.

Although common themes connect individual investigations, she
dispels a singular stylistic approach in preference for innovating and testing new
methodologies as a direct response to the subject matter."

Thursday, 28 March 2013

We're very pleased that the ARTHOUSE Meath will be exhibiting with us at the Palace Art and Craft Fair this May. Brighton Art Fair has had a close relationship with the ARTHOUSE for many years and they has always been one of the most popular exhibitors at the show.

ARTHOUSE Meath celebrates the artistic talents and skills of adults living with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties.

ARTHOUSE Meath highly regards the talents of the artists whose work and skills may have previously been considered redundant.

ARTHOUSE Meath is a social enterprise creating artworks and
products for sale at exhibition, trade and retail. Sessions, run by
professional artists, are held daily Monday to Friday offering placements
to people with varying needs and abilities. All contributions are
valued and everyone is involved. The work is beautiful and the artists
offer something new with a refreshing perspective. All images on work
sold are created by adults living with severe epilepsy and learning
difficulties.

Arthouse Meath’s main aim is to show what can be and is
achieved. Offering purpose to individuals is life changing, especially
for those who have been told they can’t or have been made to feel
redundant in the past.

By working closely together as a team, ARTHOUSE Meath has a
huge sense of pride; artists, staff and volunteers are all involved and
all achievements are celebrated. The majority of ARTHOUSE Meath artists
experience severe epilepsy. To reduce epileptic seizures for those
living with epilepsy, it is important that the brain is occupied,
enthused and interested.

This is part of the service provided by
ARTHOUSE Meath in a caring, sheltered environment in which the artists
develop social skills, work ethics, team participation and technical
skills.

Other successes ARTHOUSE Meath celebrates include:
Being the trade stationary supplier for Mary Portas
concessions stores in House of Fraser, BBC London news
coverage, selling to Galleries and shops across the country, artists
solo show at Pallant House Gallery, being part of Brighton Art
Fair, trade shows at Olympia and Earls
Court. A new shop and Arts Centre on Godalming High Street.Click Here to Read More..

Self taught artist Michael Ewart was born in Northumberland in 1940. His work is inspired by artists such as Sickert, Coldstream and Pasmore and has a romantic and elegaic feel for place - townscapes and marine scenes.

Duckett & Jeffreys produce work influenced and informed by living in or travelling through the landscape. They will be exhibiting at the Palace Art and Craft Fair. Here Stef Mitchell answers our questions.

At what age did you know you wanted to become an
artist?
I remember making my first print when I was 9, it was of a yellow tortoise
and for the first time I felt a tinge of pride in the success of doing
something that for me seemed so right to be doing. I initially trained in music
but my first degree was one of the few mixed arts degrees started in the 80s
where I was able to train as a classical performer, study electronic
composition and make films - a great mix. Postgrad studies at Goldsmiths cemented
my love of printmaking and more recently I completed a further degree in Fine
Art, gaining a 1st at the grand age of 50. I never want to stop learning.

Is being a an artist your only job?
I am an artist, curator & educator. Along with my husband Ian, we run
Duckett and Jeffreys Gallery & the Touring Caravan Gallery, a nomadic
gallery based in Yorkshire but prepared to reach wherever the call pulls. With
print studios at Sledmere & Staithes I offer a range of printmaking
workshops and whilst out and about with the Touring Caravan Gallery give demos
and 1 to 1 workshops in the tiny 10ft space. I also take people out walking
and teach printmaking on the hoof!

If you could be anything else what would you be?
A musician, but the hours are very unsociable

One favourite living artist / designer?
Ian Mitchell (my husband) - he is as mad about art and design as I am
and encourages and supports and joins me in a totally uncompromised
artistic lifestyle

One favourite historical artist / designer?
Prunella Clough - so many reasons as artist & educator - she opened the
door to me seeing and responding to the landscape in a way far beyond the
picturesque.

Who / what has had most influence on your work?
Walking & travelling through the landscapeWhat is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
Curating and traveling around with the Touring Caravan Gallery. Back in 2010 we
bought a tiny 1960s vintage Sprite caravan and converted it into a touring
gallery space. Taking it to an array of music festivals and other salubrious
spaces the aim was to take art to places not normally reached whilst at the
same time promoting our newly established gallery Duckett and Jeffreys. The
caravan has been such fun and so well received that we have now made Duckett
and Jeffreys totally nomadic. This year we have plans to take the caravan
across the Alps using it as a studio along the way.

What is your most prized item of art?
A fantastic 'mouth' painting by Sally Taylor that Ian bought me for my 50th
birthday. When we opened Duckett and Jeffreys Sally was our first artist. Her
work has gone from strength to strength, her work being repeatedly selected for
the Jerwood drawing prize and last year been shown at the Venice Biennale.
Sally's work is usually quite small but the painting that adorns my wall is
huge - much larger than Sally herself. How it was hidden from me I don't know.

What item of design / craft do you covet most?
Gosh this is difficult. A huge influence on my work has been Prunella Clough.
Her etching 'Off the Tracks' 1977 is one I would love, in the meantime the
closest I can get to it is the Tate.

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?
I spend a lot of time online but I don't see it as wasteful

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
I live where I choose and love it where I am

Where and what is your studio?
Here and there. I have a print studio at home and the base of Duckett and
Jeffreys along with a painting studio in an old porto cabin in a paddock. We
have recently set up a studio base from a tiny retreat in Staithes - a
place by the sea where we can work and where I can offer print workshops and
art residencies along with accommodation. I also have a mobile print set up
that I can pack into a rucksack and use when I am out walking or in the
Touring Caravan Gallery. Currently I am on a AA2A residency at Hull College
and have access to a fantastic print studio.

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Nicola's
work is inspired by the theme of concealing and hiding movement within
the glass, drawing the viewer to take a closer look inside to see into
the work. She is very interested in the relationships between colours
and the effect certain groupings can have and this is often present- or
hidden- in her work.

Thursday, 21 March 2013

"What is it made of? Paper? But… what if it rains?”
The ever-present concern of the British public with the (wet) weather
is quite endearing to French jewellery designer-maker Clara Breen.
Well, actually, unless you plan on taking a bath with your jewellery,
you should be fine. In fact, Clara’s paper and silver rings are totally
waterproof.

Clara plays with the notion of the contemporary keepsake by using
slices of leaflets, train tickets and maps in her paper and silver
jewellery. These papers often carry emotional content, and become a
treasured possession. Don’t we all have, tucked away somewhere in our
lives, a pile of concert tickets/ travel memorabilia?

The resulting pieces combine silver, paper and 9ct gold details, they are at once graphically-pleasing, quirky and evocative.

Specially-commissioned silver and paper jewellery, containing recycled Tate maps and leaflets can be seen at the gift shop in Tate Modern.

During the Vietnam war, Hong's family was
forced to flee their home. Hong has now been living in the UK for 35 years, during which time she gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art Sculpture
followed by an MA in 3D Computer Visualisation and Animation before going on to
work in the Film and Special Effects industry.

After having two children herself she wanted
to document her experiences and stories through art - like a visual dairy.
Hong is now a part of Studio 106and concentrates on her art, mainly digital art which
is being shown at this exhibition. Her work guarantees to take you on
a journey into her childhood memories with thought provoking colours that
blend between the child and adult.

The exhibition runs from 22 March to 18 April and is open Mon -
Fri, 9am -5.30pmAhrend, 17
Charterhouse Buildings, Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 7AP

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

London based artist Sarah Simpson works in oils, her still life paintings often feature both ceramic and
natural forms. She builds layers of paint, playing with form and colour,
creating atmospheric qualities in her work.

To the Palace to deliver leaflets and posters for Palace Art and Craft Fair. Had a horrible day mostly driving to and round London in heavy traffic so a break at the Palace was a welcome relief - and their coffee and cake in the Georgian drawing room is pretty good!

Daffs on the front lawn.

Magnolia ready to burst very soon.

Glad to see the gardeners working hard in the walled garden raking and planting so the gardens will look lovely for the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Brighton based jeweller Penny Warren works primarily with anodised aluminium combined
with silver.

Pre- anodised sheets of aluminium are dyed freehand and the
colours diluted to achieve a watercolour effect giving them more depth and
subtlety. When the sheet is dry, it is boiled to seal the colour permanently
into the surface.

Once done the sheet is ready to be cut up into jewellery.
The pieces are milled to add a texture to the surface, shaped, and the edges
are polished. The aluminium is then combined with silver either by riveting
or using folding techniques.

All the wires and chains are made from sterling silver.

Penny Warren will be exhibiting at the Palace Art Fair with Rosehill Workshop

Monday, 18 March 2013

Lisa Ridgers paints contemporary, atmospheric landscapes on canvas inspired by infinite horizons and spiritual contemplations. She will be exhibiting her work at the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

At
what age did you know you wanted to become an artist?

I knew I wanted to be an artist at about 12, I would sell
and give away graphite drawings to friends and family, mostly portraits and pet
portraits. I really didn't think it was possible to make a full time
living as a professional artist though.... Very happy I was wrong! And I
don't say that often :)

Is being a an artist
your only job?

I have been a full time artist with my partner running the
business side of things for the last 8 years or so. While building the
business, we had several part time jobs, including being stage crew in Phoenix,
Arizona for the large rock and roll concerts. Janet Jackson, U2, Melissa
Etheridge, Aerosmith amongst others.

If
you could be anything else what would you be?

If I could be anything else I would want to work in the
movie industry, but not as an actress (too much direct attention for me).......
I have always loved film and have spent a fair amount of time in Los Angeles, a
city that I absolutely love :)

One favourite living
artist?

Sarah Stockstill is a contemporary American artist that I
love...... We actually work for the same publisher and recently met at her
studio while we were in Los Angeles. She has inspired my work from the
beginning of my career 13 years ago. Her use of colour, layers and her loose
but confident style draw you in to her work and allow your imagination to drift
endlessly.

One favourite
historical artist?

J M W Turner is without a doubt my favourite
historical artist. His work, mid 18th century, inspires me the most - his
palette and loose abstraction being the biggest influence on my work. The burnt
oranges get me every time :)

I think both of the above artists have influenced my work
the most and it is very hard to pick one over the other.

What is the most
interesting / fun job you have had?

My current job is the most interesting and fun job I have
ever had....... I absolutely love what I do! I thoroughly enjoy the creativity
and freedom that it allows - it is my Prozac :) It is also the longest job
(that's a hard word to use as it really is a lifestyle for me) that I have ever
had. Second to this, stage crew at the America West Arena working the big rock
and roll shows as crew was a lot of fun!!! Watching the free concerts at such a
large venue was definitely an added bonus.

What is your most
prized item of art?

My most prized piece of art is a painting that my daughter
did in my first studio when she was 2 1/2 years old..... It is a vibrant
expressive abstract that she titled all by herself - "Your Date Is
Your Fate" - how brilliant and philosophical is that :)

What
item of art do you covet most?

I would love to own a large Sarah Stockstill original.......
I am sure that I will one day. We actually have plans to paint together at her
studio when I next visit Los Angeles, I am sure she won't notice if I sneak out
the back door with one ;)

Last
book / film that blew your mind?

The last film to "blow my mind" would have to be
"Ted" ... It blew my mind because it was shockingly filthy!! Tongue
in cheek :)

My favourite film of all time which blew my mind would have
to be "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" .... Brilliant!

What
are you listening to?

I am currently listening to Pink' s, "Truth About
Love" ....... I LOVE Pink!!! She has never been afraid to speak her
mind, be herself and take control of her career. She is a talented business woman
and artist, I respect that. My current mission is to get a piece of my art on
to her wall.... My agent has a couple of connections, so fingers crossed :)

How
many hours do you waste on the internet each day?

I don't spend too much time on the Internet unless I am
researching something or looking at art.... When I do look at art it can be for
several hours at a time. Generally speaking though, an hour a day tops..... I
would rather be painting!

If you could live
anywhere, where would it be?

That's easy, I would live in LA :) I love the beach, the
Southern California "vibe", the food .... Well, everything about it
really! Also, my agent lives there - and Pink ;) so that helps!

Where
and what is your studio?

I have two studios... One is at home, in the largest
bedroom. I will always have a home studio of some sort as I like to work in my
pyjamas at times and paint at some crazy hours when I am on a creative
"bender" or getting ready for a show/exhibition. The other is a
larger studio just up the road in Rustington where I have more room to do large
scale pieces and meet with clients.

hree
words that describe your feeling of doing your work?

Meditative, expressive and FUN !

Chips or mash?

Chips with a side of mash of course.... Why make difficult
decision when you don't have to ;)

Sunday, 17 March 2013

Sarah Tucker is a wax-resist artist inspired by the landscape, seascape
and ever changing light of her native British Isles. Her choice of
palette favours subdued tones, earthy colours and cool blues, often
contrasting the fluidity of water with the solidity of rock formations.

Thursday, 14 March 2013

York based jeweller Corrinne Eira-Evans finds inspiration in many forms - reading, British gardens, hedgerows and botanical prints all deriving from the Victorian era, have inspired her beautifully hand crafted contemporary jewellery, with style and function, which embrace our connection with nature.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Chris Chamberlain's Jewel of the Universe is a 330,000 piece stained glass portrait of the Earth, an enormous
and beautiful piece of work that will be exhibited at the Palace Art and Craft Fair at Fulham Palace, London in May. Jewel of the Universe is
being offered for sale for £75,000 with proceeds going to charities in Sierra
Leone.

Chamberlain is a British artist who spent two and a half years in
his garage creating the artwork. This illuminated stained glass
micro-mosaic, which is 3.2 meters wide by 2.2m tall (10’ 6” x 7’ 3”) and
painstakingly interpreted from NASA satellite photos, is the first of its
kind in the world.The piece, titled
‘Jewel of the Universe’ in homage to the Earth, is the first artwork Chamberlain
has ever made. Its glass took 6 months to cut by hand and to achieve
high resolution, each piece needed to be around 20 times smaller than
a normal mosaic tile.

In total around 3
kilometers of glass cuts were made and the pieces were then glued one by
one onto a thick sheet of perspex with a pair of tweezers. Rivers like the
Mississippi, Yangtze, Ganges, Nile and Amazon are depicted with hundreds
of turquoise coloured glass pieces, each the size of a grain of
rice. 1,238 gemstones of 12 types – and totalling 260 carats – are
placed to depict the Earth’s towns and cities. Zircons – a natural gem
second in brilliance to diamond – mark the world’s top 100 cities
including London, NewYork, Dubai, Moscow, and Tokyo. Rubies and emeralds mark the
spiritual cities, and finally, a non-conflict Kimberley process
diamond depicts a city long associated with blood diamonds
-Freetown, Sierra Leone. The artwork is lit from inside with hundreds of
LEDs.

Chamberlain says: ‘Since visiting Sierra
Leone 11 years ago, right after its civil war, I vowed to help it – in my
own creative way. I thought, why not make a huge artwork, a new type
of art, as a homage to what may well be the most wonderful planet in the
universe, and try to make it attractive enough that someone would invest
a good amount of money in it? If it sells, if I’m offered just a fraction
of what I’m asking, then I’ll use the money to start a fair trade
arts co-operative in Sierra Leone.’ To
assist immediately, if it sells Chamberlain will donate 10% of the
proceeds to the 300-pupil Ivor Leigh Memorial School near Freetown.

This work is composed of hundreds of dots, full stops and bullet points cut out of newspapers, compiled into a single image and stuck to board.

Collected over months each dot, box or line is as specific as the text from which it was lifted. These clippings fill spaces that hint of much larger spaces. The tiny fragments of newsprint establish physical contact with obscure documents. Click Here to Read More..

Celia Wilkinson creates semi-abstract/expressionist landscapes from her studio on the Isle of Wight. Celia will be exhibiting at the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

At what age did you know you wanted to become an artist? I was 19. I was doing a History of Design degree in Brighton and really missed the practical side of art so I left and worked for a couple of years and built up a portfolio and was accepted at Central School of Art to do a foundation course. Then went on to St Martins for my degree.

Is being an artist your only job? Being a painter is my full time job.If you could be anything else what would you be?A musician

One favourite living artist / designer? David Hockney. Not because I love his work but I admire his approach and the passion he has for his art.

One favourite historical artist / designer?Picasso. Because he never stopped exploring ideas and pushing boundaries.

Who / what has had most influence on your work?Too many to mention but Patrick Heron has been a more recent influence.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?What I do now. Painting, because that is when I am at my happiest.

What is your most prized item of art / design / craft? A painting my mother did when we lived in Ireland. Its beautiful.What item of design / craft do you covet most?An Elizabeth Frink sculpture

Last book / film that blew your mind?A book called ‘A Fine Balance’ by Rohinton Mistry.

What are you listening to?Rolling
Stones

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day? I don’tIf you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? I would like to live in Berlin, it’s a great city for artists, it’s beautiful, relaxed and the transport is great.

Where and what is your studio?My studio is in a barn in my field just outside Niton, Isle of Wight.

Three words that describe your feeling of doing your work? Happy as LarryChips or mash?Chips with steak, mash with bangers